Between 4:00-4:30 p.m. today, I noted two adult Snowy Owls in fields a few
kilometres northwest of Chatham. Both were well out in fields, perched on
either a piece of farm equipment or the top of a small tree. Although both were
noticeable from the road without binoculars, a 'scope is advisable to really
appreciate them. Both birds were very white, suggesting they are adults. The
snow is all gone at the moment, making it easier to spot these birds.
Directions: From Chatham (accessed from Hwy 401 by either exit 81 or 90) take
Hwy 40 northwest of Chatham toward Wallaceburg. At ~8 km northwest of Chatham,
take Chatham-Kent Road 29 (Countryview Line) west for about 3 km to C-K Road 43
(Bear Line). Turn right on C-K Rd 43.
One bird was in the field directly opposite (east of) the intersection of St.
Phillippes Line and Bear Line, and sitting on what appears to be a folded up
piece of farm equipment called a culti-packer. This is likely the same bird
seen during the St. Clair NWA Christmas Bird Count on January 1. The other bird
was also on the east side of Bear Line, but about 1.5 km farther north, in a
small tree just a bit north of the intersection of Mallard Line and Bear Line.
Allen Woodliffe
Chatham
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
